O'neill Gooru overknee 4/3

After every session, you have to wash your wetsuit in order to get it fresh and ready for the next one. Apart from eliminating sand, salt, and odors, regular care will make your wetsuit last much longer. The good news is that washing your wetsuit isn’t that hard. In this blog article, we will tell you how to wash and care for your wetsuit, so you can enjoy it for longer and spend more time in the water!

1. Taking off
Avoid taking off your wetsuit while standing on gravel, grass or other rough surfaces. Instead, use the O’Neill Wetsuit Change Mat or lay down a towel to stand on.

2. Cleaning
Rinse your wetsuit in fresh, cold water and turn inside-out to dry in the shade lying flat. It is critical NOT to wash your wetsuit with hot water, dry it in the sunlight, or leave it in the boot of your car for long periods of time. Heat contact with neoprene affects the fabric’s flexibility and durability.

3. Drying
At home, hang your wetsuit on a wide plastic hanger (not wire) in a well-ventilated area; this will prevent deterioration and creases, do not fold.

Finding the right size wetsuit can be quite a challenge. It should fit like a second skin, tightly wrapped around your body. After all, a wetsuit only works when the fit is right. On the other hand, you don't want it to be too restrictive or tight, and want to avoid excess material in areas like your armpits, lower back and behind your knees. But don’t worry, we offer suits for every body type and gladly help you choose your correct wetsuit size. This makes wetsuit shopping a lot easier than before. Keep your measurements at hand, have a look at our wetsuit sizes guide and order the right size without having to try it on in a sandy fitting room!

As described above, it should fit tightly around the body. Only then, a thin layer of water can be trapped between the neoprene and your skin to keep your body warm. When the suit is too large and the material piles up in certain areas, cold water seeps in and runs through the suit (a phenomenon known as flushing). A wetsuit that is too small, however, is too tight and can restrict your freedom of movement in the water. This especially the case with winter wetsuits: the thicker the neoprene, the less flexible it is. When you try on your suit, you must be able to bend down and touch your toes, and move your arms and shoulders freely.

Tip: Remember that in addition to wetsuit sizes, wetsuit thicknesses are also very important!

O’Neill wetsuit sizes explained

Rather than on height, O’Neill wetsuit sizes are based on body types. While some are tall and slim, others have broad shoulders and a big chest, and yet another one is a bit heavier. Therefore, we do not only offer small, medium, large and extra large wetsuits, but multiple variants of each. SS (small small) for example, is a great fit for shorter persons with a relatively big waist and chest, while ST (small tall) is suited for taller persons that have the same waist and chest circumference. The normal S is the best choice for people who fall in between.

Not sure about your measurements and weight: here is how you measure them.

Height: stand right up and measure the length from the ground to the top
of your head.

Weight: measure your weight on a time of day you would normally go surfing. In the morning, you are usually lighter so don’t cheat.

Chest: keep your arms relaxed by your side and measure the widest part of your chest.

Waist: breathe out and measure around your natural waistline.

Even though different types of wetsuits have to be put on differently, there are some general guidelines that apply to all wetsuits. First off, it’s important to keep your suit in the best possible condition. In order to prevent damaging the neoprene, you should find a clean and flat surface to put your wetsuit on. Avoid standing on rocks, stones or other jagged surfaces. If there is no smooth surface available, you can use a changing mat to get changed. Your nails can also harm the neoprene, so use your fingertips instead. Another important thing is to make sure you have the right side facing forward. If you go wrong on this one, you have to start all over again!

Feet first!

Whatever wetsuit you want to put on, you should always start with your feet. Start with one foot, and pull up the leg over your calf. Meanwhile, make sure the cuff of the leg is positioned at the bottom of your ankle. Repeat these steps with your other leg and make sure the suit’s knees, which often have knee panels, are positioned on top of your knees. Then pull up the wetsuit to your waist. From here on, different methods are used for different suits.

Since it’s the most popular and common performance wetsuit, we will start to explain how to put on a chest zip wetsuit, also known as a front zip wetsuit or F.U.Z.E. When your wetsuit is pulled up to your waist, insert your right arm into the right sleeve. Then put your left arm in the left sleeve, and pull the entry flap over your head. Lastly, close the front zipper and attach the snap (if there is one).

Wondering how to put on a chest zip wetsuit? Check the video!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Kp2HkQomHs

A back zip wetsuit is great for surfers with broad shoulders, because it has a larger entry than a front zip wetsuit. Once the suit is pulled up all the way to your waist, close the velcro closure to prevent it from sticking on other parts of your suit. Then insert your right arm into the right sleeve. If you lift your arm in the air, it’s easier to get the suit over your shoulder. Do the same with your left arm and make sure the suit sits well on your shoulders and under your arms. If your suit has a gaiter, such as O’Neill’s ZEN wetsuits, pull it over your head. Then grab the zip cord with one hand and close it with your other by pulling it up above your head. As the last step, close the velcro for a nice and snug fit.

Wondering how to put on a back zip wetsuit? Check the video!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDBr0CcvjZQ